letting the cat out of the bag
Accidentally disclosing information
Letting the cat out of the bag is revealing a secret, usually by accident or carelessness.
The phrase suggests information that was deliberately concealed now escaping into the open: I wasn't supposed to tell anyone about the surprise party, but I let the cat out of the bag.
Once revealed, the secret can't be contained again—the cat won't go back in.
- tellingMeaningfully indicative
- spill the beansReveal confidential information
- give the game awayUnintentionally reveal a secret
- announcingPublicly stating information
- let slipReveal unintentionally
confession · blow the whistle · informing · revelation · truth comes out · exposure · surprise · fallout · divulgence · disclosure · whistleblowing · betrayal · indiscretion · break the news · broadcasting · admission · repercussions · loose lips
- Mangled Idiomsrocket surgery, for all intensive purposes
letting the cat out of the bagkeeping mum
Staying deliberately silent
keeping quiet · keeping one's mouth shut · biting one's tongue · stonewalling · clamming up
letting the cat out of the bagkeeping one's own counsel
Not revealing your thoughts